Evaluation of Immunocontraceptive GonaCon in Eastern Gray Squirrels

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunocontraceptive GonaCon in reducing fecundity in Eastern gray squirrel (EGS) (Sciurus carolinensis) in urban areas. EGS density on the study area was estimated to be 9 ± (2.89) EGS/ha, based on the Lincoln-Peterson model. There were no significant differences in body weights of treated and control EGS by TS3 (p = 0.40), or testosterone (p = 0.32) and progesterone (p = 0.68) levels. However, there were significant differences in antibody titers between treated and control EGS by TS3 in both males and females active antibodies seen in the treatment group ( 2 = 5.656, df = 1, p = 0.017). There were highly significant differences in scrotal size of treated and control males with a reduction in scrotal size being observed in treated males (t= 10.14, df = 8, p = 0.001). There were marked histological changes in treated EGS males and no observable histological changes in treated EGS females. Although there were no serious side effects to the vaccine; 6 EGS developed injection site abscesses. GonaCon may be a potential tool to manage EGS overabundance in urban areas, but additional research is needed.

Autorentext

Murali Pai is an Indian veterinarian currently in residence as postdoctoral research associate at Clemson University, South Carolina, USA. He practiced equine medicine for a decade before moving on to wildlife conservation in India. He is developing an early warning system to resolve human-elephant conflicts in Assam,

Klappentext

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunocontraceptive GonaCon(TM) in reducing fecundity in Eastern gray squirrel (EGS) (Sciurus carolinensis) in urban areas. EGS density on the study area was estimated to be 9 ± (2.89) EGS/ha, based on the Lincoln-Peterson model. There were no significant differences in body weights of treated and control EGS by TS3 (p = 0.40), or testosterone (p = 0.32) and progesterone (p = 0.68) levels. However, there were significant differences in antibody titers between treated and control EGS by TS3 in both males and females active antibodies seen in the treatment group ( 2 = 5.656, df = 1, p = 0.017). There were highly significant differences in scrotal size of treated and control males with a reduction in scrotal size being observed in treated males (t= 10.14, df = 8, p = 0.001). There were marked histological changes in treated EGS males and no observable histological changes in treated EGS females. Although there were no serious side effects to the vaccine; 6 EGS developed injection site abscesses. GonaCon(TM) may be a potential tool to manage EGS overabundance in urban areas, but additional research is needed.